(Clearwisdom.net) While exposing the persecution and clarifying the truth, I realized there are some "minor" things that need practitioners' attention. If we pay more attention to these "minor" things, we can save more sentient beings at the present time using divine wisdom and power.
Truth clarification from the perspective of justice and morality, not from self or any particular group
In a recent sharing article, it was noted that a policeman told a practitioner, "You are your Master's dog." The practitioner answered, "I'd be very proud to be a dog of Master's." From the article, we are inspired by the practitioner's firm belief in Teacher and the Fa. But on another hand, I think the practitioner could answer the policeman in a wiser and more comprehensive way that would not only eliminate evil elements, but also help ordinary people, including policemen, understand the truth of Dafa and be saved.
For example, he could have said, "I believe the principle of 'Truthfulness - Compassion - Tolerance' taught by Teacher. I'd be very proud to be able to defend 'Truthfulness - Compassion - Tolerance'." Thus, a personal question is answered from the perspective of justice and morality. This answer is more persuasive and comprehensive.
In a program made by China Central Television (CCTV) to attack Dafa, a policeman asked a practitioner from a remote area where she came from. The practitioner answered, "I am from the universe." This was when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) persecuted practitioners ferociously and people didn't know how to tell the good from the bad. Later, many people used her answer to tease Dafa practitioners.
Actually, what the practitioner said was not wrong. At that level, what she said carried the power of that level. But other people cannot understand her, because they are not on that level and what they say does not carry the power of the Fa. It only leads people to believe that practitioners are not "normal." She could have answered it in a different way, such as, "I am one of the kind and innocent people who are being persecuted." On the one hand, we cannot simply copy other practitioner's words, since we may not be on the same level. On the other hand, even if we are on that level, we still need to pay attention to express ourselves in ways ordinary people can understand. Teacher says, "You can't consider an immature and imperfect work of art all right because of the effect a God is having. A perfect work of art with the presence of a God is what's most sacred." ("Teaching the Fa at the Discussion on Creating Fine Art")
There are a lot of similar examples. For example, it is better to say "there is nothing wrong in persisting in my belief" or "there is nothing wrong with being a good person" rather than, "there is nothing wrong with me practicing Falun Gong." The reason is, ordinary people also believe "freedom of belief is right" and "there is nothing wrong with being a good person." It may appear to be an issue of choosing different words, but it also reflects a practitioner's level. It shows how much we understand sentient beings and how much we tolerate them. Besides, it also shows how much we understand the Fa. Once, when I was explaining the truth about Dafa, I suddenly realized what truth clarification was. We talk about clarifying the truth a lot. But what is the truth? What is the essence of the truth? It is just simply to tell people the fact that Falun Gong is "Truthfulness - Compassion - Tolerance." It is a simple sentence, but reflects the great spirit of a righteous being. Ordinary people will feel the righteous power that can shake heaven and earth.
Do not use the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) language
A lot of practitioners use the word "transform." Sometimes, many of us feel uncomfortable because it was invented and used by the CCP to persecute and slander Dafa. The real meaning of "transform" is to "force people to give up their beliefs." So, when I discuss or write about persecution cases, I usually say, "he was forced to give up his belief" or "he refused to give up his belief in 'Truthfulness - Compassion - Tolerance'."
If people know that we are righteous, they won't have so many questions or misunderstandings. I think during truth clarification, we should try to use ways that ordinary people can accept. If we can show people that what we are doing is the most righteous, and even the tone, attitude and words we use are the most righteous, isn't that also truth clarification?
For an absolute question, we don't have to give an absolute answer. In that practitioner's article, it said that a policeman asked, "Did your Master make any mistakes?" Sometimes, some ordinary people also ask us, "Is what you said absolutely correct?"
If we say our Teacher is absolutely correct, many people will doubt us out of rebellious thinking. We can say, "A Christian wouldn't doubt anything about God or Jesus. Of course I can understand your thinking as an atheist." This way, they can feel our tolerance and kindness, and we avoid answering them directly. They are trying to understand gods from a human level. No human being is absolutely correct. It is a question that can only be explained clearly from a gods' level.
Clarifying the truth reasonably
If we can clarify the truth reasonably, people won't be so against us in the first place.
Some people do not want to read or watch the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party. If we are overzealous or try to force them to read it, the result might not be good. A practitioner had a very good sharing on this. For those elderly people who do not want to read the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, that practitioner usually says in a respectful tone, "Sir, you are older and have much more experience than me. Please read this as a history book."
This practitioner was very reasonable and didn't force it on other people.
A practitioner once noted that for people today, emotions come first and reason comes second. Most people will not accept your opinion if they do not accept you. They ignore what you say if they do not like you or how you express yourself. It is just like Teacher says, "Today's people are really hard to save. [It seems as though] they'll listen only if what you tell them is in line with their ideas, and they'll listen only if you talk to them in a way that they like. In other words, if you want to save them, they have conditions for you to do so." ("Teaching the Fa at the 2004 International Fa Conference in New York")
Teacher told us to clarify the truth according to people's attachments. Today's people's biggest attachment is "sentiment." People love to be respected and hate to be pressured. Some practitioners tend to force their opinions on other people, especially their families and friends. They say things like "your understanding is wrong" or "how could you still understand it that way?" They jump to conclusions and hurt other people's feelings. For example, an elderly practitioner tried to persuade her husband to quit the Communist Youth League, but failed. Later, I found out that it was because she was forcing her opinion on her husband.
I went to talk to her husband. I first said, "You didn't want to quit because you are not the type of person who just follows others. You have your own opinion. I respect people as knowledgeable as you." He was very glad to talk to me, and even played his favorite instrument and sang for me. I then said, "What your wife did was for your own good. You should consider what she said. Besides, the CCP is so corrupt that it won't last long. I am sure you know this better than we do. I know you don't oppose quitting the CCP. Why don't you quit too?" He nodded gladly and said, "OK. OK."
When we have compassion for sentient beings, our minds will become broad and tolerant. We will come up with more methods (which actually come from the Fa). For example, if we praise the other person first, the conversation will become much easier. If we start with topics they care about, such as their jobs, school work, children, parents or hobbies, they will see that we truly care about them. If we just talk about what we want to say nonstop, they will think we are cold, even though our intentions are for their wellbeing and salvation.
During truth clarification, we need to constantly improve ourselves. To ordinary people, if they feel that we are more patient and thoughtful, then they will believe that what we say is more reasonable. Thus, the result of our truth clarification will be better and better, because it has the power of the Fa. "The higher one's level, the denser, finer-grained, and more powerful one's energy." (Zhuan Falun)
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